Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) CFO Greg Richardson recently received the 2020 Airports Council International-North America (ACI-NA) Finance Professional of the Year Award. ACI-NA, whose mission is to advocate policies and provide services that strengthen commercial airports’ ability to serve their passengers, customers and communities, celebrates airport finance leaders who’ve ensured financial stability for their respective airports in the midst of economic uncertainty caused by COVID-19. 

Under Richardson’s leadership, ATL has held its status as the world’s most efficient airport, and despite the challenges posed by COVID-19, the Airport ended fiscal year 2020 with unrestricted cash of approximately $757 million.

“We appreciate the federal government’s passage of the CARES Act, organizations such as ACI-NA, Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, and the Atlanta City Council, who have all continued to support the aviation industry during this challenging time,” said Airport General Manager John Selden. 

Selden added, “Greg Richardson truly deserves this honor, as it reflects his true leadership, acumen and commitment. Greg and his entire team ensured that we had firmly established principles in place, which allowed us to see continued financial strength for our facility and our business partners.”

As CFO, Richardson has helped to ensure ATL’s financial security and flexibility in adapting to challenges due to COVID-19. Richardson rose to the challenge by developing and negotiating the Airport’s current 20-year Airline Use and Lease Agreement, where gross receipts from airlines increased by 44.2 percent, or $90 million, from the agreement’s adoption through fiscal year 2019. He also helped to implement a controls and savings approach that generated expense savings of approximately $72.8 million over the past three fiscal years.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has brought on a challenging year for airports across North America. With travel around the world dropping dramatically, our airports are struggling to meet their financial obligations,” said ACI-NA President and CEO Kevin M. Burke. “Despite the challenges, I am proud of the unique and creative steps this year’s winners have taken to ensure financial stability in a time of economic uncertainty. I congratulate each of them on this remarkable accomplishment.” 

The judges selected Richardson because of his extensive responsibilities at ATL, as well as his extensive contributions to both the airport industry and various charities.

Richardson is an active participant with the ACI-NA Finance Committee Steering Group and the ACI World Economics Standing Committee. In addition to his role at ATL, Richardson has worked to raise more than $100,000 in funds for the Haitian Timoun Foundation’s summer camps for underserved Haitian children.